International Taxation

The problem isn't how much you earn.It's how much you keep.

Every year thousands of entrepreneurs, professionals and investors watch a huge share of their work absorbed by taxes, contributions and bureaucracy. Getting informed isn't a luxury. It's a business decision.

0%

Tax burden

ISTAT 2025

0%

Tax wedge

OECD 2025

0%

Debt / GDP

Bank of Italy 2025

Section 1 · The context

Italy is the country where you work most — and keep least.

Tax burden at 43.3%, labour wedge at 45.1%, debt at 137.9% of GDP. Official 2025 figures, each with its source. You be the judge.

43,3%

Tax burden

of GDP

Source: ISTAT 2025

45,1%

Tax wedge

on labour cost

Source: OECD 2025

348.000

Closed businesses

in one year

Source: ISTAT 2025

82.000

Businesses in distress

under financial stress

Source: Cerved 2025

7.200

Insolvency proceedings

bankruptcies & liquidations

Source: Cerved 2025

26,1%+

Freelancer burden

contributions + income tax

Source: INPS 2026

1.390

Civil justice time

days per instance

Source: CEPEJ 2024

137,9%

Public debt

of GDP

Source: Banca d'Italia 2025

53,2%

Public spending

of GDP

Source: ISTAT 2025

1,2%

Inflation

annual average

Source: ISTAT 2025

1,78 €/L

Fuel cost

petrol

Source: MASE 2026

+18%

Energy cost

vs pre-crisis

Source: ARERA 2025

139

Labour cost

EU index=100

Source: Eurostat 2025

Tax burden compared (% GDP)

Source: ISTAT · OECD 2025

OECD0%15%30%45%60%

Public debt (% GDP)

Source: Bank of Italy 2021–2025

20212022202320242025130%138%146%160%

Businesses: closed vs new (thousands)

Source: ISTAT 2021–2025

202120222023202420250150300450600
Section 2 · Everyday life

You work more and more… but do you actually live better?

More taxes, pricier bills, lower pensions, slower healthcare. The comparison between Italy and the EU average speaks for itself — the bars show the real gap.

Avg. city rent

€/mese

Italy1,320 €/mese
EU average980 €/mese

Energy bills

€/mese

Italy175 €/mese
EU average145 €/mese

Avg. property tax

€/anno

Italy1,500 €/anno
EU average740 €/anno

Insurance

€/anno

Italy920 €/anno
EU average660 €/anno

Freelancer contributions

% reddito

Italy26 % reddito
EU average20 % reddito

Avg. pension

€/mese

Italy1,450 €/mese
EU average1,900 €/mese

Doctor wait time

giorni

Italy52 giorni
EU average18 giorni

Crime index

su 100

Italy55 su 100
EU average38 su 100

Quality of life

su 100

Italy66 su 100
EU average79 su 100
Section 3 · Your reality

How much of your revenue actually stays with you?

Enter your numbers and choose your activity type. The estimate is instant.

150,000 €
30,000 €

Taxes

33,480 €

Contributions

0 €

Net income

86,520 €

Eff. rate

27.9%

27.9% effective tax pressure

Taxes
Contributions
Net income

Indicative simulation for informational purposes. It does not account for specific deductions, special regimes, regional/municipal surcharges or your personal situation. Consult a professional for a precise estimate.

Section 4 · The options

Perfectly legal alternatives do exist.

Many international entrepreneurs regularly evaluate these paths. Each depends on your personal situation and must comply with the regulations of your country of residence.

Tax residency relocation

Moving tax residency to jurisdictions with lighter or territorial taxation, meeting genuine substance requirements.

Internationalisation

Structuring business abroad to access markets and tax regimes more favourable to international revenue.

International holding

Centralising shareholdings and income in an offshore holding to optimise dividend taxation and group management.

Offshore companies

Incorporating companies in low-tax or territorial jurisdictions, with genuine economic substance.

Wealth planning

Trusts, family offices and asset-protection vehicles, in compliance with anti-avoidance rules.

International taxation

Analysis of double-tax treaties and the regimes of the countries involved to avoid overlaps.

Every solution is specific to your situation and must comply with the regulations of your country of residence. None of the strategies described here encourages tax evasion. Getting informed means knowing the options before deciding — with the support of qualified professionals.

Section 5 · The world

We don't only talk about Panama.

Fourteen jurisdictions compared. Click a country on the map or in the list to open its card.

3D Tax Atlas
Mappa mondiale
🇦🇪

United Arab Emirates

0% pers., 9% corp.

Jurisdictions

🇦🇪

United Arab Emirates

0% pers., 9% corp.

Company

FZE (Free Zone) / LLC (Mainland)

Banking

Solid

Residency

10-yr Golden Visa

Citizenship

Very difficult

Pros

  • ✓ Zero personal income tax
  • ✓ World-class infrastructure
  • ✓ International hub
  • ✓ 0% corporate up to AED 375k (~€94,500)

Cons

  • ✕ High cost of living
  • ✕ Controlled tax residency
  • ✕ CRS active
  • ✕ 9% corporate tax confirmed 2026
From the archive

Articles to understand, before deciding.

See all articles
What if an alternative existed?

Have you ever actually done the maths?

Have you ever compared what you pay each year in taxes, contributions and costs with what you could achieve by evaluating, in a fully legal way, a different organisation of your business or a different tax residency?

Maybe yes.

Maybe no.

But if the answer is no, the question is simple:

How much is it costing you never to have asked?

Every year you keep working, invoicing and paying money without knowing whether a more efficient solution exists for your case.

Getting informed doesn't mean relocating tomorrow.

It means knowing the options before making decisions.

On this site we analyse international taxation, tax residency, opening offshore companies, wealth protection and opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors, always in compliance with applicable regulations.

The final question is not:

"Should I relocate?"

The real question is:

"How much is it costing me to continue without ever having evaluated the alternatives?"

Book an introductory consultation

Ricorda: la Dolce Vita SA è partner dello Studio Malizia per le materie legali e della fiduciaria PM Consulting.